Why Are You Attracted To Carmel?

[Sister Helena]

Do you care to share why you are attracted to the Carmelite Order?

[scottywolf777]

I know it seems strange that someone of a Franciscan background might have an interest in Carmel.
My birthday on the pre-Vatican II calender was the feast of the Little Flower I have alwys been attracted to her and apparently the feeling is mutual. If I forget to invoke her for too long she sends me roses. I am not kidding.
I have been enrolled in the Carmelite brown scapular for many years now. The one I currently have is a 5 plus in one blessed by Pope John Paul at World Youth day in Denver 93.
When folks around me were reading Nancy Drew I was reading St. John of the Cross and Santa Teresa and have relics (3rd class of course) of all the major carmelite saints except St'. Elizabeth of the Trinity of which I know nothing .
The Marian and mystical spirituality of carmel compliment the Marian spirituality of the Franciscan order.

[Ocarm]

Strangely enough, many of the things that attracted me to Carmel were the contradictions within our history and charism. namely;

We were founded with a rule for hermits, but became organised in communities.

We have a charism that is 800 years old, and yet the early history of the order is lost in the mists of time, and the people who came first in our line are almost completely unknown.

We own a spirituality based on contemplation and prayer that was born in the middle of a terrible war that lasted many decades.

We are a case of reverse evangelism, not taking our ideas from Christendom into the non-Christian world, but bringing a charism from a non-Christian milieu back into Christendom.

The order was originally for men only, but now most people owe their understanding of Carmelite life to the women who joined only later, especially the great female saints of the Carmelite family.

Carmelite spirituality has fragmented in many directions through the centuries, but now finds a general unity despite these organisational differences.

Despite our rule and constitutions, there is no one single way to 'live Carmel' - but many ways, and in all states of life, joining with other pilgrims who follow our common charism as we ascend the mountain in the company of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and towards her son.

But ultimately, it was two particular things that brought me to where I am - firstly, the desire to be with, and maybe even to be like, the Carmelites I had met, and to live in the places that they lived. And secondly because I felt an affinity with the first men who made the climb.

To paraphrase some of the more eloquent commentators on the early Carmelites, these were people who had tried to assuage the hungers of the human heart in different ways - as travellers, as soldiers, as traders, as secular priests or as pilgrims - and failed. So they started their lives again in a different place and in a different way, and in doing so, they found God.

So it's been for me too, and I pray it will continue to be so. And that God might ask me to join this particular family is proof of another great blessing of our charism - that Carmel is for everyone, not just the holy and the strong.

[barb finnegan]

I love it because of its emphasis on prayer. And its Marian connection, of course!

As I've said on some of the main threads, it was my mother who kind of got me started on the 'Carmelite path' [subconsciously, I guess] when I used to 'dip' into her old prayerbook. It came from the Shrine of the Little Flower in Chicago. There were a lot of excerpts from St. Therese's writings in it, as well as prayers and devotions to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and other Carmelite Saints and Blesseds. When my mother died in 2004 [on the Feast of Divine Mercy, I might add!] the prayerbook was buried with her.

I got to know and love St. Therese more as I read about her. My first copy of her Autobiography was the translation by John Beevers, which I got at Christmas 1970. At that time I was thinking of the Discalced Carmelite nuns. I visited their monastery in Schenectady, NY in July 1970. I wrote and visited them 'officially' from 1970 to 1977. But in 1977 the Mother Prioress/Novice Mistress told me that I had a 'love and loyalty to the Order, but not a vocation'. I didn't get emotional at all when she said that-I accepted it [I think it was one of the few times a tangible 'grace' came into my life].

As the years went on, I read more and more about St. Therese, both biographic and autobiographic writings. In 1970 the Schenectady Carmelites sent me an old volume of the 'Souvenirs' of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity-they had already sent me a picture and relic of her that same summer. I also got to know about other holy Carmelites such as Teresa Benedicta of the Cross [Edith Stein] and Maravillas of Jesus [a 20th century Spanish Carmelite who was a foundress like St. Teresa]. The first book I read about St. Teresa was Marcelle Auclair's biography 'Teresa of Avila'.

Fast forward to 1994, and I found out about the forming of a group of Discalced Carmelite Seculars in my area. To make a long story short, I was in this group from 1994 to 2000. I made temporary profession, but wasn't allowed to make permanent profession-the priest/spiritual director and the formation director put me through a very grueling verbal/written evaluation. And their verdict was that I 'didn't have a vocation' to the OCDS.

But that experience-as well as the 'rejection' by the nuns-did not stop my love for Carmel! I have been blessed to been able to travel to such Carmelite sites as Avila, Segovia [Spain], Lisieux [France], and Aylesford [England]. I've visited Carmels in Fatima, Lourdes and Domremy-la-Pucelle [birthplace of St. Joan of Arc] as well.

I have an extensive library of Carmelite books, and I love knowing more about not-so-well-known holy Carmelites, such as the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne and Ven. Teresita Quevedo [a Carmelite of Charity from Madrid, Spain].

Hope this posts-I know it's rather long! But it shows my love for Carmel and all things Carmelite! And of course, I wear Our Lady's Scapular!

[Sister Helena]

[quote=Ocarm;4975831]
We are a case of reverse evangelism, not taking our ideas from Christendom into the non-Christian world, but bringing a charism from a non-Christian milieu back into Christendom.

Actually, the early Latin hermits who settled in Mount Carmel did something that was sweeping Medieval Europe at the time: retracing the footsteps of Jesus. There was a spiritual revival and explosion of religious fervor at this time and the early hermits settled in Mount Carmel with the spirituality prevalent in Europe. The way of life evolved into what we would call "eremitic" because they purposely styled themselves from the Prophet Elijah who lived in Mount Carmel. St. Albert of Jerusalem drafted for them a Formula of life which only formalized the lifestyle the hermits were already living. I don't think it was "reverse evangelism."

[Ocarm]

Originally Posted by Sister Helena

Actually, the early Latin hermits who settled in Mount Carmel did something that was sweeping Medieval Europe at the time: retracing the footsteps of Jesus. There was a spiritual revival and explosion of religious fervor at this time and the early hermits settled in Mount Carmel with the spirituality prevalent in Europe.

You're right, it's not the best expression I could have used - more like a return to the well for a renewal of spirit, going to the Holy Land to then bring something back to the countries from which the hermits orginated. Although perhaps they wouldn't have returned to Europe had they not been forced to by the changing fortunes of war - I suppose they would have lived and died on the mountainside.

Originally Posted by Sister Helena

The way of life evolved into what we would call "eremitic" because they purposely styled themselves from the Prophet Elijah who lived in Mount Carmel. St. Albert of Jerusalem drafted for them a Formula of life which only formalized the lifestyle the hermits were already living.

One of my order's historians suggested to me in conversation that the fact that a rule was needed might have been because there was some disharmony amongst the men - in other words they were trying to live as in community and finding that arguments were resulting, hence a need to formalise the arrangement and avoid some of the dissent. (Nothing's changed!). If true, it succeeded beyond all expectations.

Irrespective of this, I remain intrigued by the idea that hermits would choose to live together but still hold onto their spirit of solitude and desert existence. That is at the heart of my struggling attempts to live this life in company with others.

[Sister Helena]

Originally Posted by Ocarm

I remain intrigued by the idea that hermits would choose to live together but still hold onto their spirit of solitude and desert existence. That is at the heart of my struggling attempts to live this life in company with others.

This is the genius Saint Teresa of Avila brought to the Order with her reform: preserving the desert charism of Carmel in cities where she made foundations!

[joamy]

I am a convert and chose St Teresa of Avila is my patron saint. I had found somewhere that she is the patron saint of headache sufferers - I get migraines, so I was intrigued. The more I read about her, the more I liked her. The year I came into the church, I looked my birthday up to see what was celebrated on it (this was several months after I had chosen my patron saint.) My birthday is the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. I am working my way through a collection of St Teresa's writings. I also have read The Story of a Soul many times. St Therese is my second (kind of unofficial) patron saint.

I am discerning a vocation and have an interest in the Carmelites. I also have an interest in the Visitation Sisters. One thing that I have heard is that St Therese read quite a bit of St Francis De Sales and that her spirituality was influenced by this- can anyone speak to this? Also any recomendations for a reading list? Thanks!!

[Tarek Chidiac]

I'm new to Carmel ... I didn't know much about it. I need to, so I'm here

[DesertAscetic]

I suppose I've always had that contemplative personality that is drawn to the noumenal realm of things. I was raised in, frankly, a very non-religious family, save for the very private and sporadic evangelical Protestant leanings of my father, but have always been a seeker. When a close friend of mine reverted to Catholicism and went into discernment for the priesthood, I started investigating all things Catholic.

I'd studied practically every religion out there before picking up a Catholic catechism, and it just "clicked". I just "got it". Very quickly, I found myself able to defend Catholic doctrine with very little study. The manner in which it all made sense to me, made me actually consider the possibility of past lives! LOL. (Remember, I wasn't properly catechized yet.)

Around this time (no more than a few months into my Catholic investigations), I happened to hear a song by Loreena McKennitt called "Dark Night of the Soul" that so perfectly seemed to reflect the yearnings in my own soul. I intuitively knew that this song wasn't just about human love, but divine love. I flipped through the CD jacket and discovered that the lyrics came from a poem written by St. John of the Cross. I quickly sought out all things St. John of the Cross and was sold-- hook, line, and sinker.

The thing that draws me to Carmelite spirituality is its "totalism." The Carmelite saints do not merely want to be "like" Christ; they love him so much they want to "BE" in Christ. They have a love so great that only a complete unification of their heart to Christ's will give their soul peace. I can't claim to have this level of divine charity [yet], but I do think I possess the Carmelite quality that leads up to it-- a spiritual restlessness and dissatisfaction with all things not God.

I am not at that level of trust in God, where I can fearlessly throw off all the distractions of this life and allow Christ to solder my heart to his. "Nada, nada, nada" is still a scary concept to me. But, at the same time, the flavors of the world often taste like ash in my mouth, and the meaninglessness of life not connected to God is too much to bear.

So, it's this restlessness that attracted me to Carmelite spirituality, out of a hope of one day attaining that STILL peace that St. John of the Cross symbolizes so perfectly to me.

[stteresasgirl]

The spirituality of Carmel is also where I fit in. Divine Providence has thrown carmelite-minded individuals, readings, and saints across my path here in the last 1 1/2 years. It feels like a "homecoming".

My way of relating and loving is reflected in all that I have read of the Carmelite way. Beyond understanding for most human beings, but not for Jesus. Looking back, as a child I was deeply reflective. I also loved "to love". Continues to this day.

This might sound funny, I am a sanguine-melancholic by nature. Though I am a married individual, when Sister Helena and Ocarm write about being a hermit living in community, I do not find that as difficult. My sanguine side constantly yearns for others, but what pain and disappointment when dealing with human beings and the world! However, my melancholic side allows me to reach out to Christ "deep within" where He hears me and my cries. Here, we unite our sufferings with Him. Here He transforms our life to reflect beauty.

Abandonment is also something I am trying to strive for. Though I am not always successful, I SO BELIEVE in it. It is the only way on our part to be open to Christ's presence. As St. Paul reflects, we no longer are ourselves as we cloth ourselves in Christ. I believe we must lose faith in "this world" while continuing to love in it.

To me, the Carmelite way is the lamp over the path leading to the Truth.

[StarMaiden]

I can't explain why I am attracted to Carmel, I think it is the little things that have happened in my life that have drawn me in this direction. I have read 'The Collected Letters of St Therese of Liseux' (sorry for the poor spelling ) and I have just finished reading 'Meeting God - Carmelite Reflections and Prayers'. If anyone can recommend any further books to read I would be very grateful

[Sister Helena]

Originally Posted by StarMaiden

I can't explain why I am attracted to Carmel, I think it is the little things that have happened in my life that have drawn me in this direction. I have read 'The Collected Letters of St Therese of Liseux' (sorry for the poor spelling ) and I have just finished reading 'Meeting God - Carmelite Reflections and Prayers'. If anyone can recommend any further books to read I would be very grateful

I very highly recommend "Context of Holiness" by Marc Foley, OCD. It's a book on psychological and spiritual insights on St. Therese of Liseux.

[StarMaiden]

Originally Posted by Sister Helena

I very highly recommend "Context of Holiness" by Marc Foley, OCD. It's a book on psychological and spiritual insights on St. Therese of Liseux.

Thank you so much for the book recommendation Sister Helena I will see if I can get via my local library.

[Sister Helena]

Originally Posted by Ocarm

You're right, it's not the best expression I could have used - more like a return to the well for a renewal of spirit, going to the Holy Land to then bring something back to the countries from which the hermits orginated. Although perhaps they wouldn't have returned to Europe had they not been forced to by the changing fortunes of war - I suppose they would have lived and died on the mountainside.



One of my order's historians suggested to me in conversation that the fact that a rule was needed might have been because there was some disharmony amongst the men - in other words they were trying to live as in community and finding that arguments were resulting, hence a need to formalise the arrangement and avoid some of the dissent. (Nothing's changed!). If true, it succeeded beyond all expectations.

Irrespective of this, I remain intrigued by the idea that hermits would choose to live together but still hold onto their spirit of solitude and desert existence. That is at the heart of my struggling attempts to live this life in company with others.

Hi Mike,
Are you a Religious Carmelite also?